Phonograph and the like



July 5, 1932. A. v. BODINE PHONOGRAPH.AND THE LIKE Filed May 27, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fired Vflode'lze NEY A BY July 5, 1932.

A. BODINE PHONOGRAPH AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1926 'INVENTOR. A yred Vfiodzne,

A ORNEY JIM y 95, 1932.- A. v. BODINE PHONOGRAPH AND THE LIKE Filed May 27, 1926 '3 Shets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Afred V l KNCA .Boduze, ATRNEY I Patented July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALFRED V. BODINE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO DICTAPHONE COR- PORATION, OF BRIDGEIPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK PHONOGRAPH AND THE LIKE Application filed May 27,

This invention relates to phonographs and more particularly to dictation machines.

In connection with devices for indicating corrections, lengths of letters, etc, so that an operator may be cautioned at the proper point in transcribing a record, much difliculty has been had in the past in producing a device which would require very little attention on the part of the operator. Several devices for this purpose have been suggested, but they do not meet the desideratum, for considerable attention on the part of the operator has always been necessary.

An object of this invention is to provide an indication or correction device for dictation machines in connection with which it is merely necessary for the operator to place a prearranged strip in an automatically determined position on the machine when a phonograph record is placed on the machine,

the device itself producing the signal without any attention or setting on the part of the transcriber.

The feature of the present invention is the provision of an indication device which places a protuberance, preferably a metallic staple, on a correction or indication slip on a dictators machine by the mere operation of a button by the dictator.

Another feature is the provision of signalling means on the transcribers machine which will automatically cause analarm to be given when the protuberances or metallic staples are engagedby means on the soundbox carriage.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a magazine for holding the staples and the stapling device on the soundbOX carriage of the dictators machine.

A still further feature is the provision of an automatically operating and locating means for holding an indication sheet or strip on the dictators and transcribers mafchines. so that the indication strip will al- 4 ways be properly placed and held on both machines without any special attentionor adjustment on the part of the operator.

And a still further feature is the provision of the stapling device on the dictators ma- 5 chine and of the signalling means on the 1926. Serial No. 112,014.

transcrib-ers machine, so that they may easily be moved to a position giving free access to the strips and the strip-support when the strip is being applied to or removed from the machine.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trans scribers machine showing the present invention as applied thereto.

Fig. 2- is a side elevation partly in section of a dictators machine showing the present invention as applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the indication strip holder which is substantially the same for both the transcribers and the dictators machine, showing also an index or indication strip in position on the holder.

Fig. 4 is a view of the indication strip looking at its back or reverse side.

Fig. 5 is a section through the indication strip showing a staple in position thereon.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a belt of staples used in the device.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the transcribers machine showing the means" illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a'sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 9 and 10 show, respectively, modifications of the means shown in the other figures.

A set of dictation machines for use in recording and reproducing dictation comprises a dictators machine 10 (shown in Figs. 2 and 8) and a transcribers machine 11 (shown in Figs. 1 and 7). The dictating machine usual ly comprises a frame 12 having a record-support 13 over which travels a sound-box carriage 14 containing a sound-box 15 for engaging and recording upon a record 16 carried by the record-support 13. Sound is transmitted through a sound-conductor 17 mounted on the carriage 14 to the sound-box 15. The sound isre corded on the record 16 by a recording stylus in a helical groove produced by the simultaneous rotation of the record 16 and travel of the carriagelt longitudinally of the record upon suitable guide I rods 18 and 19, while the stylus engages the record.

After the record has been made by the dictator, it is removed from the record-support 13 and transferred to the transcribers machine 11 which also has a record-support 20 for supporting the record 16 and a soundbox carriage 21 which travels on guides 22 and 23 over the record and record-support under the influence of a feed-screw 24, which movement of the carriage21 and rotation of the record-support 20 causes the sound recorded on'the record 16 to be reproduced while a reproducing stylus engages the record. The reproduced sound is conveyed by a tube 25 to the transcribers cars so that the sound recorded may be transcribed by typewriting or otherwise.

In recording dictation on the dictators machinelO, it is frequently necessary for the dictator to make corrections or changes in the matter dictated as he goes along. Usually the dictator makes some memorandum to show the transcriber 'where the corrections occur. Heretofore, this has been done by making pencil notations on a sheet containing an index or scale or by printing or marking on the index or scale certain indicia both the dictators machine and the transcribers machine being provided with corresponding scales. Such memorandums were then given to the transcriber along with the related phonograph record.

With the use of a written memorandum, it was necessary for the transcriber to watch the progress of the sound-box carriage 21 over the record and when the point at which the correction appeared approached the point of sound-reproduction, the operator would have to pause in transcribing and listen ahead to find out what the correction was to Frequently, the transcriber would neglect to take note of the advancing positions of the carriage and would proceed to transcribe that which was dictated until the point was reached'where the dictator referred to a correction. Usually it is then too late to initially make the correction for 'the matter was already written.

These difficulties were in part obviated by the provision of a device which comprised an alarm device and previously set stops cooperating with the carriage to produce an alarm when thepoint markectby the set stop is reached. in the course of sound reproduction. With this suggestion, the operator was forewarned of the approach of a correction and could cease transcribing until the correction or change was noted and then could proceed to transcribe in accordance with the changes. This suggestion, however, had the disadvantage that it required the transcriber to manually set these stops for each new record being transcribed, in accordance with the memorandum received from the dictator. This operation in itself consumed a considerable part of the transcribers time.

The present invention utilizes the idea of Warning the transcriber by a signal in advance of the correction, but it obviates the necessity of the transcriber setting any stops or other things on the transcribing machine,

and also obviates the necessity of the dictator making any written memorandum to indicate the points of correction.

To accomplish this result, the present invention provides on the dictating machine 10, an index member 26 and a stapling device 27 which, when operated, provides on the index member 26 a protuberance preferably in the form of a'metallic staple 28 which is used to control the signal device when the index strip 26 is placed on the transcribers machine 11.

On the transcribers machine the result is obtained by providing a signal device 29 which may be in the form of a buzzer or a one-stroke bell, a source of electric current supply 30 and contact members 31 and 32 on the sound-box carriage 21 connected to the signal device 29 and the source of current 30 respectively. The contact devices 31 and 32 are so arranged with relation to the index strip 26 that the circuit including the signal 29 and current supply 30 will be closed when a metallic staple 28 is reached by the contact lingers 31 and 32 in the course of travel of the carriage 21 over the record.

The index strip 26 is preferably formed of paper or other fabric so as to be flexible and non-conducting to electricity, and preferably has printed thereon a graduated scale 33 referring to arbitrary divisions of the record longitudinally thereof.

Both the dictators and the transcribers machines are provided with a supporting or holding bar 34 extending across the machine forsupporting the index strip 26 in close proximity to the carriages 14.- and 21, so that the stapling device 27 on the dictators machinev and the contact fingers 31 and 32 on the transcribers machine, both of which are mounted on the carriage, will properly co operate with the index strip. Preferably, the index strip 26 is provided at each of its ends with a perforation 35 adapted to be received upon pins 36 and 37 on the supporting or holding bar 34, so that the index strip will easily be located in proper position on the frame with relation to the record and the travel of the carriages.

In order that the index strip 26 may be held taut in position on the holding bar 34, either one of the pins 36' and 37 may be mounted for yielding outward movement. Hence, in the present disclosure, the pin 37 is mounted in a slide 38 movable on the holding bar 34 and normally drawn outwardly or' away from the end of the strip 26 by a spring 39.

In placing the index strip 26 upon either machlne, the right-hand perforation 35 is placedover the pin 37 and then the strip is drawn toward the left until the left-hand perforation may be placed over the pin 36, which drawing movement of the strip causes the spring 39 to be tensioned and to hold the strip 26 taut on the holding bar'34.

lVith the indication strip 26 and the hold ing device therefor above described, it is possible and advantageous to use a thin flexible paper strip which may be folded for convenience in handling and which, of course, is so inexpensive. that'it can'be discarded or destroyed after it is once used.

For the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the index strip 26 in the dictators machine for subsequent use on the transcribers machine, the present invention preferably provides a stapling device 27 which is mounted on the sound-box carriage 14. This stapling device comprises a housing 40 in which slides a plunger 41 having at one end a button or head 42 and at the other end a tool 43, the plunger, tool and button being held in their normal positions, shown in Fig. 2, by a spring 44, and the tool 43 being prevented from turning in the housing 40 by a slotted sleeve 45 secured to the housing and in which the edges of the tool 43 slide.

The stapling device also preferably comprises a magazine 46 for holding a belt 47 of semi-permanently connected staples 28. The magazine is so disposed that the staples lie with their ends facing the index strip ready for use.

The belt 47 of the staples is advanced, as the staples are consumed, to gaged by the tool 43, whlch position is determined by a block 49 (see Fig.8), by a feeding device comprising a feed-pawl 5O pivotally mounted on a lever 51 which in turn is mounted on a stud 52 carried by the housing 40 for the stapling device. A spring 48 positioned between an extension of the feed-pawl 50 and an arm of the lever 51 normally holds the end of the pawl in operative position, resting lightly against the top of the staple belt 47. The lever 51 is urged by a spring 53 so that a lug or extension 54 thereon normally lies in the path of the end of the plunger 41. When the plunger is operated, the lever 51 will be rocked clockwise as seen in Fig. 8, throwing the pawl 50 to the right in sliding engagement with the top of the belt of staples 47. Then, when the plunger and lever 51 return to normal positions, the pawl 50 operatively engages and urges the belt 47 of staples toward the block 49 to bring the next staple against the block for operation.

A staple 28 is set into the index strip 26 each time the button 42 is pressed because of the fact that the tool 43 engages the staple, severs it from the belt 47 of staples and then sition to be encontinues to move the staple so that its legs enter the strip 26.

In some cases it might be sufficient to have the staple 28 merely enter the index strip 26 without clinching over the legs of the staple, and this is so particularly when the strips 26 could be made of cardboard or other heavy material. However, it is considered preferable at thistime to clinch over the ends of the staple so that the staple will be firmly held in the strip. For this purpose, an anvil 57 is mounted in the carriage 14 under the tool 43 and directly beneath the index strip 26 when the latteris in position on the holding bar 34. The anvil 57 is so shaped that when the legs of the staple 28 engage it, they are turned inwardly and clinch over as shown in 5f course, if desired, the holder 34 could be shaped like the anvil and could be made of hard material so as to take the place of a separate anvil. However, it is preferable to have a separate anvil so that it is not necessary to use hard steel for the holder and only a small portion of 'the device need be made of that material. In order that the anvil might closely lie against the under or reverse side of the index strip 26, the holder 34 is provided with a longitudinal opening 55 (see Fig. 1) into which the anvil extends.

It is not essential that the holder for the transcribing machine be provided with the longitudinal opening 55 like the holder for the dictators machine, but if desired a holder without the lon itudinal opening may be used on the transcribers machine.

The belt 47 of staples may be formed in any suitable wa as by initially forming all of the staples o a single piece and partially cutting through them or of forming the staples of separate pieces and securing them together by a soldering or tinning operation. Moreover, if desired, the staples may be loose and not in belt form, but it is preferable, to facilitate the handling of them, to provide them in the belt form shown in Figs. 6 and 8.

'To facilitate the operation of placing the index strip 26 on the holder 34 without interference with the stapling device 27, the housing 40 of the stapling device is mounted to be moved away from the strip holder 34. For this purpose, the housing 40 is pivoted on a shaft or rod 56 mounted in the carriage 14 and by this means the stapling device may be moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

It will be understood from the above description that when the dictator places a new record on the machine to record dictation, he at the same time places on the holder 34 an index strip 26, raising the stapling device 27 for the purpose of facilitating the mounting of the. strip 26. Then he proceeds to dictate in the usual way and when an error has been made or a change is to be made in the matter dictated, he operates the stapling device 27 by pressing inwardly the button 42. This causes a staple 28 to be setin the index strip 26 at that point at which the carriage is located when a correction or change was given, or, if the matter to be changed preceded by a substantial distance the point at which the dictator decided to make the change then the dictator may return the carriage to that part of the dictation and after listening for the point at which the change should be made, he would operate the button 42. After the record has been completely dictated, the record is moved from the machine and at the same time the strip 26 is removed, the stapling device 27 being again raised to facilitate the removal of the strip. The index strip is then either folded or left flat and is sent with the record to the transcriber.

The transcriber upon receiving the record and the index strip places the record on the machine in the usual way and likewise places the index-strip 26 on the holder 34 on the transcribing machine. 1

The means provided on the transcribers machine for giving an alarm in accordance with the previously prepared index strip 26 comprises a buzzer or one-stroke bell 29 mounted on an extension 30 on the sound-box carriage 21 of the transcribers machine.

The signal device is connected by a Wire v ing an ear 64 formed thereon and pivotally engaging a stud 65 mounted in the carriage 21. The contact fingers 31 and 32 extend forwardly and downwardly from the insulating block 63 so that they will ride upon the surface of the index strip 26 mounted on the holder 34. The end of the contact fingers are in alinement with each other in a 'plane parallel to the plane in which the staples 28 are located on the index strip 26.

'Hence, as the carriage 21 travels from left to right on the machine frame as the sound is being reproduced, the fingers 31 and 32 ride over the surface of the index strip 26, and, when they engage with a staple 28 set in the strip 26, the interrupted circuit between them is closed by the staple and the alarm is given.

The contact points of the fingers 31 and 32 are arranged in advance of the index pointer 66 on the carriage, the latter being in the same position with respect to the starting and stopping points of the record as the stapling device 27 is with relation to the starting and stopping point of the record on the dictators machine. Hence, the signal will be given somewhat in advance of the actual point where the correction occurs, and the operator will be forewarned as to the fact that a correction or change will soon be heard.

Of course, if desired, the contact points of the fingers 31 and 32 might be in alinement gard to the holder. However, the disclosed form is preferable, for then pencil marks or other indications may be used on the index sheet in addition to the stapling devices to indicate lengths of letters, etc., and the pointer 66 will still cooperate wit-h these marks.

The signalling device 29 preferably is mounted on the sound-box so that sound vibrations produced thereby might be transmitted through the interior of the sound-box and hence be conveyed to the transcribing ears by the hearing tube However, it should be distinctly understood that other signalling devices might be used in the place of an audible signal device disclosed.

In case the signal device 29 is a buzzer, it is preferable to provide some means for rendering it inoperative temporarily, so that the sound of the buzzer will not prevent the sound being reproduced by the machine from being heard.

For this purpose and for the purpose of facilitating the application of the index strip 26 to the transcribers machine, the insulating block 63 with the contacts 31 and 32 are mounted on the stud 65 so that they can be swung out of contact and out of engagement with the index strip 26 and the holder 34 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7.

From the above, it will be understood that when the transcriber receives the record and the previously prepared index strip 26 they are each placed on the machine, the record being placed on the mandrel 20 and the index strip being placed on the holder 34, the contacts 31 and 32 being temporarily swung upwardly to inoperative position to facilitate the application of the index strip 26. The

transcriber then places the sound-box so that the pointer 66 is located above the zero designation on the scale 33 and proceeds to transcribe the matter recorded on the record. \Vhen the pointer progresses While the car riage travels toward the right as seen in Fig. 1, the contact fingers 31 and 32 will come into engagement with the staples 48 on the index strip 26 and an alarm will be given. At the sound of the alarm, the operator ceases transcribing and continues to listen to see what the correction or change wiil be, and hence when the operator understands how the matter should be transcribed or written, she proceeds to do the work. After the record has been transcribed, the index strip 26 may be destroyed-or discarded and the rec- 0rd as usual is resurfaced as by shaving to again be used.

It should be distinctly understood that the specific mechanism illustrated and above described, while now deemed preferable, is susceptible to considerable variation within the scope of this invention. For instance, instead of using mechanical. staples, other protuberances might be employed and nonmetallic staples might be used. In this case, the alarm would be given when the raised portion of the surface of the index strip 26 is approached by fingers or contact devices on the carriage and the raising of one of the fingers by engagement with the protuberance might close the circuit as shown in Fig. 9, the fingers being here indicated at 31a and 82a. Or, the protuberance might mechanically operate a striker for a bell as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 10 in which the bell 100 is provided with a striker 101 having a pawl 102 in the path of the staple 103.

The prepared index strip 26 may be utilized without using the alarm device as referred to. For instance, it may be used mere-- ly as a visual indication in the same manner as correction slips are now used, the staple being used instead of a pencil mark.

Other variations and modif'cationsmay be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is

1. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a flat sheet; and means for producing a protuberance on the sheet, said means and said sheet being one movable relatively to the other under the control of the sound-box carriage.

2. A dictation machine comprising, in combiantion, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a nonmetallic sheet supported on the. frame in the path of the carriage; and means on the carriage for securing to the sheet a metallic projection at any point on the sheet over which the carriage may be located.

3..A dictation machine comprising, in combination, aframe; a record-support'on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a sheet supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and means on the carriage for securing to the sheet a strip of metal at any point on the sheet over which the carriage may be located.

4. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a sheet of non-conducting material supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and means on the carriage for attaching to said sheet of non-conducting material an electric contact member at any point on the sheet over which the carriage may be located.

5. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a paper index sheet supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and means on the carriage for attaching a staple to said sheet at any point on the index sheet over which the carriage may be located.

6. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a. sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a strip supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; a magazine for metallic staples mounted in the carriage; and staple-setting means mounted in the carriage, which means when operated cause a staple to be removed from the magazine and to be imbedded in the strip, said staple-setting means being located in a predetermined position on the carriage and being operable at any point in the travel'of the carriage.

7. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a sheet supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; a staple magazine mounted on the carriage; and a manually operable plunger mounted on the carriage to impress a staple from the staple magazine into the said strip.

8. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a strip supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and a staple magazine and staplesetting device pivotally mounted on said carriage and adapted to set a staple in said strip, said staple magazine and staple-setting device being normally located above said strip and being-movable about its pivot to a point giving free access to the strip.

9. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a strip supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and a stapling device mounted on the carriage above said strip and adapted to set a staple in said strip; and means for pivotally supporting said stapling device on the carriage so that it may be moved into a position giving free access to the strip.

10. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a strip supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; a staple magazine mounted on the carriage; a staple-setting device mounted on the carriage and adapted to set a staple from said magazine into said strip; and means operated by the staple-setting device for advancing the staples one by one fromthe magazine to the staple-setting device.

11. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; an index sheet supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; a stapling device mounted on the carriage and comprising a staple-setting device adapted to set a staple in said strip and located on one side of said strip and an anvil for said staple-setting device located on the other side of the strip.

12. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a stapling device mounted on the carriage comprising an anvil; a staple-receiving strip-supported on the frame in the path of the car riage;. and a support for the staple-receiving strip comprising a skeleton frame through a slot in which the anvil of the staple device may extend into close contact with the strip.

13. An index device for dictation machines comprising a movable index strip, an index strip holder engaging one end of the strip and another index holder engaging the other end of the strip, said second-named index holder being provided with a spring normally urging it in a direction away from the strip so as to hold the strip taut.

14. An index device for dictation machines comprising a removable index strip; means I for holding the strip at one end; and means for engaging the other end of the strip and being provided with a spring for moving said means in a direction away from the strip and capable of receiving the strip so as to hold the strip taut.

15. An index device for dictation machines comprisi a removable index strip, said index strip ing perforated at 'both ends; a stationary pin upon which one perforated end of the index strip may be placed; and an outwardly urged pin for receiving the other perforated end of the index strip.

16. Anindex device for dictation machines comprising an index stri having perforations at each end; an in ex strip holder; 0. pin mounted in the holder at one end for engaging one perforated end of the index strip; a slide mounted at the other end of the index holder, a spring normally urging said slide outwardly; and a pin on said slide adapted to engage the other perforated end of the index strip.

17. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; a strip removably supported on the frame in the path of the carriage, said strip having protuberances definitely positioned and fixed thereon; and means on the carriage for engaging said protuberances and producing an alarm as an incident to such engagement.

18. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; an index sheet having staples imbedded therein and supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; electrical contact members mounted on the carriage adapted to engage with said staple; and a signal device mounted on the carriage adapted to produce an alarm when said con- I tact devices engage a staple.

19. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage mounted on the frame and record-support; an index sheet having staples imbedded therein supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; a source of current supply; an electric signal device and means on the carriage adapted to connect said source of current supply with said signal device when said means engages said staples.

2-0. A dictation machine comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; an index sheet having staples imbedded therein and supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; and a signal device mounted on the carriage and adapted to engage said staples, said signal device being mounted for movement to inoperative position.

21. A dictation machlne comprising, in combination, a frame; a record-support on the frame; a sound-box carriage movable over the frame and record-support; an index sheet having staples imbedded therein and supported on the frame in the path of the carriage; an electrical alarm producing device mounted on the carriage; a source of current supply for the electric alarm device; and contacts mounted on the carriage and riding on said index sheet adapted when brought into engagement with the staple to close the circuit through the current supply and the electric signal device.

22. The method of notifying the operator of a dictation transcribing. machine of notations occuring on a record-cylinder to be transcribed, which consists in applying electrically conductive elements at predetermined points on a non-conductive index strip at the time the record-cylinder is made in a dictation recording machine, and then transferring said strip with said record-cylinder to a transcribers machine equipped with means adapted to cooperate with said elements electrically to give signals to the operator at said predetermined points during the reproduction of said record-cylinder. Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield, andSt-ate of Connecticut, this 26th day of May 1926.

' ALFRED V. BODINE. 

